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Below Average

#3945 of 4,742 schools in NY

Putnam Central School

Elementary School · PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

PO BOX 91, Putnam Station, NY 12861

Enrollment

38

Student-Teacher

5.4:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#3,945 of 4,742

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Putnam Central School

4.5/10

Elementary School in Putnam Station · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ticonderoga Junior-senior High School

4.8/10

6.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Benson Village School

7.7/10

5.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Putnam Central School

Putnam Central School is a public elementary school in Putnam Station, NY, part of PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. Putnam Central School serves approximately 38 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 5.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Putnam Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,945 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for Putnam Central School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

What's said publicly about Putnam Central School

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Putnam Central School (PCS) is located in Putnam Station, New York, and serves as the educational center for its rural community 1 . The school educates students from Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade 1 . It is identified as one of the smallest school districts in New York State, a characteristic the school cites as an asset for maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 5:1 1 . The curriculum emphasizes a foundation in core elementary subjects, combining traditional learning methods with modern technology 1 . The school's stated goal is to provide personalized education to support student achievement 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.putnamcsd.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares1.4 pts below NY schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • NY avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

At 38 students, Putnam Central School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 5.4:1 students to teachers, Putnam Central School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Putnam Central School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.87 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.7% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-11.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.2 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$40,957
Chronic Absenteeism23.7%

Putnam Central School — Students at Putnam Central School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 57.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
50.7% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 72.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
61.6% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 32 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
69.5%
ELA
90%
2013
Math
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2014
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2016
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
65.3%
ELA
72.3%
2022
Math
41.7%
ELA
41.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.7/10.

How Putnam Central School Compares

See how Putnam Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in NY
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.7%

Location

PO BOX 91, Putnam Station, NY 12861

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Putnam Central School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shoreham Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Shoreham), which scores notably higher. Another option is Benson Village School (rated 7.7/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Benson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orwell Village School (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Orwell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Putnam Station, see our Putnam Station schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.9 mi
School Distance Rating
TICONDEROGA JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Ticonderoga 6.7 mi 4.8
Benson Village School Benson 5.4 mi 7.7
TICONDEROGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ticonderoga 6.6 mi 4.4
ST MARYS Ticonderoga 7.0 mi 6.2
Orwell Village School Orwell 6.2 mi 7.1
Shoreham Elementary School Shoreham 10.7 mi 8.1
Fair Haven Union Middle and High School Fair Haven 11.7 mi 7.5
WHITEHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Whitehall 13.3 mi 3.8
WHITEHALL JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Whitehall 13.6 mi 6.5
Fair Haven Grade School Fair Haven 12.4 mi 5.2
CROWN POINT CENTRAL SCHOOL Crown Point 14.2 mi 5.6
Otter Creek Academy at Leicester Sudbury and Whiting Whiting 12.3 mi 4.3
Castleton Elementary School Castleton 12.7 mi 6.6
Bridport Central School Bridport 16.6 mi 6.9
Poultney Elementary School Poultney 17.3 mi 4.9
LIHIGH SCHOOL Poultney 17.8 mi
Poultney High School Poultney 18.0 mi 4.2
Bingham Memorial School Cornwall 17.6 mi 5.4
TRUTHVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY North Granville 20.8 mi
MORIAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Henry 20.9 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12861 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,125

Median Home Value

$264,700

Population

516

College Educated

28.8%

Homeownership

93.3%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

46.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
MOTHER TERESA ACADEMY Halfmoon, NY 4.4
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Batavia, NY 4.7
EDINBURG COMMON SCHOOL Edinburg, NY 4.8
ELMWOOD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL White Plains, NY 4.8
SOUTH BAY JR ACADEMY OF SDA Babylon, NY 4.8
DBA THE NURTURING CENTER AND ACADEMY Queens Village, NY 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Putnam Central School

What grades does Putnam Central School serve?

Putnam Central School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Putnam Central School?

Putnam Central School has an enrollment of approximately 38 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Putnam Central School?

The student-teacher ratio at Putnam Central School is 5.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Putnam Central School rank in NY?

Putnam Central School ranks #3,945 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is Putnam Central School's MySchoolScout rating?

Putnam Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Putnam Central School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Putnam Central School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Putnam Central School a charter school?

No, Putnam Central School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Putnam Central School a Title I school?

No, Putnam Central School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Putnam Central School?

71.1% of students at Putnam Central School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
38
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.7%

District

PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
38
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$40,957
District Rank
#1 of 1

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